A future reader!

People enjoying Mary Lackey’s mini horses

My new friend Tommy who brought the hay.

Mary Lackey–the awesome woman who loaded up her mini horses!

Jason, my “little” brother, who came to check out the event.

My friend Greg who came and made me promise to remember him when I become famous. 😉 It was great to see you, Greg!

One of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. He’s a retired colonel and he was so sweet. He even took video as I signed the book.

Crowd control! 😉

Mandy M, can you see my awesome boots?

Lewis–a local author.

My new friend, M! I even signed her copy of Young Rider. So sweet.

I’m visiting her school soon.

Minutes before the event began. Trying not to freak out.

The set up outside the doors. I just sat down inside and hoped that someone would actually show up. I was going through JA Konrath’s signing advice in my head. It really helped, Joe. Thanks!

Bill Bothwell, the community ambassador at BAM. He coordinated this entire event. Thank you, thank you, Bill.

*Soooo, my first signing at Books-A-Million was AMAZING! We were under the threat of a tornado watch, yet people still came. I got started at 11am and by 2pm, it started to look scary outside. We closed up shop with zero books left. I met so many great people and had a blast.

The girls that I met were so sweet and smart. I’ll be visiting some of their schools soon and they promised to come up and say hi again.

It was fun to meet readers and almost every girl had a horse story to tell me. Either they ride at summer camp, or rode a friend’s pony last summer or even just petted a horse once. I loved talking to all of you and thank you for coming to see me!

The entire signing was great and it was a wonderful first experience. 🙂 I was super nervous last night! I think I was Twittering at midnight about how freaked out I was and I had to force myself not to call/text everyone in my phone for advice.

Thank you so much to the follow people/businesses:

Bill Bothwell
Mary Lackey and family
Weekend Furniture Bargains for providing my gorgeous desk
Fresh Market for the lovely orchid
Books-A-Million for hosting me
Tommy for bringing the hay
Happy Trails Ranch for providing the hay
The Books-A-Million employees for talking up Take the Reins

(*I’m using “so,” TM, so ha!) 😉

On Saturday, I visited my local shops and handed out flyers for my first signing! So. Exciting. The details:

When: Saturday, February 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Tallahassee’s Books-a-Million (3521 Thomasville Road)

I’ll be signing copies of Take the Reins and…special guests are coming! Two miniature horses just like the one in this pic! Mary Lackey of Sundance Oaks Miniature Horse Farm will be bringing two of her mini horses to the BAM parking lot. They’ll be available for everyone to pet and enjoy.

Thanks so much to Bill Bothwell and Books-a-Million for hosting me. I can’t wait! 🙂

Also, I’ve heard from a couple of girls that they’ve received their March/April issue of YOUNG RIDER Magazine. Be on the lookout for it on newsstands because Canterwood is featured inside! I haven’t seen the issue yet, so I need to get my hands on a copy. 🙂 My local stores are still stocking the Jan/Feb issue. I’ll post a pic of it, though, when I grab one. Thanks so, so much to Lesley Ward and Allison Griest!